Meeting planned in Weogufka to showcase Flagg Mountain improvements

WEOGUFKA, Ala. – In the heart of Coosa County in Weogufka lies what should be a local tourist destination. Flagg Mountain, first constructed in the 1930s as an Alabama Sate Park, has the potential to be a gathering place for those who love to spend weekends outdoors and enjoying nature. Vice President of Public Relations for the Alabama Hiking Trail Society (AHTS) Callie Thornton is trying her best to help Flagg Mountain reach that potential.

Thornton told SylacaugaNews.com tons of improvements and updates are taking place in the area. The AHTS is partnering with the Alabama Forestry Commission to restore host cabins which includes replacing broken windows and removing lead paint. Landscaping and other projects are also a part of the updates.

She is also raising funds to clean up and update the Flagg Mountain Tower. She said the stairs need to be replaced among other work that needs to be done on the tower. She is estimating the total cost of the tower updates to be around $19,000. To help with the cost Thornton is accepting donations on the Flagg Mountain Restoration GoFundMe page.

The clean up is in hopes to attract more people to the hiking and camping site, and in preparation of hopes the trail will one day be added to the end of the Appalachian Trail. According to Thornton that would mean an extra 15,000 people coming to the town of Weogufka. She believes those extra people coming into the town should be a reason for businesses to flock to the area.

“We’re looking for people to open up mom and pop type stores to serve the people that would come in,” said Thornton. “We’re not looking for large stores, but just small stores to give people what they need.”

She mentioned grocery stores, a laundromat, and a clothing store as businesses she believes would be successful in the area.

To discuss the importance of Flagg Mountain and present the progress and plans for the future, Thornton and Flagg Mountain caretaker Nomad Nimblewell will be speaking in the high school lunchroom in Weogufka on Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Thornton plans to show a Powerpoint presentation which will show everyone in the community why Flagg Mountain will eventually be a great opportunity for them to create businesses in the area.